Up to how many weeks of gestation is a pregnancy termination labeled as an abortion?

From the Guidelines

Pregnancy termination is generally labeled as an abortion up to 20-24 weeks of gestation. In medical terminology, abortion refers to the termination of pregnancy before the fetus reaches viability, which is typically considered to be around 24 weeks gestation. The provided evidence from the European Society of Cardiology 1 discusses methods of termination of pregnancy, highlighting the safest time for elective pregnancy termination as the first trimester, but does not specify a gestational age limit for what is considered an abortion. However, it mentions that dilatation and evacuation is the safest procedure in both the first and second trimesters, and that up to 7 weeks gestation, mifepristone is an alternative to surgery.

• Key points to consider include:
  • The distinction between abortion and induced preterm delivery or late termination of pregnancy is based on fetal viability
  • The definition of abortion has evolved over time as medical technology has advanced
  • Specific terminology and legal definitions vary significantly across different countries, states, and medical systems
  • These definitions matter clinically because they affect the procedures used, the legal requirements that may apply, and the medical documentation practices. Given the information from 1, it is clear that the medical community considers abortion to be the termination of pregnancy before the fetus reaches viability, but the exact gestational age cutoff can vary. The most commonly cited gestational age limit for abortion is 20-24 weeks, though this can vary by jurisdiction and medical context.

From the FDA Drug Label

Mifepristone tablets, 200 mg is indicated, in a regimen with misoprostol, for the medical termination of intrauterine pregnancy through 70 days gestation.

The pregnancy termination is labeled as an abortion up to 70 days of gestation 2.

From the Research

Definition of Abortion

Abortion is defined as the termination of a pregnancy, and the gestational age at which it is labeled as an abortion can vary.

Gestational Age Limit for Abortion

• The exact gestational age limit for labeling a pregnancy termination as an abortion is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
• However, based on the studies, it can be inferred that abortions can occur up to 26 weeks of gestation 3.
• The studies discuss various methods of abortion, including medical and surgical abortions, and their effectiveness and safety at different gestational ages.
• For example, one study recommends a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for termination of pregnancy between 13 and 26 weeks 3.
• Another study discusses the use of misoprostol alone for termination of pregnancy between 12 and 22 weeks 3.

Methods of Abortion

• The studies discuss various methods of abortion, including:
  • Medical abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol 4, 3, 5
  • Surgical abortion using dilation and evacuation (D&E) 6, 7
  • Labor induction abortion using misoprostol or other prostaglandin analogues 4
• The choice of method depends on the gestational age, the woman's health, and other factors.

Gestational Age Limits for Different Methods

• The studies provide information on the gestational age limits for different methods of abortion, including:
  • Medical abortion using mifepristone and misoprostol: up to 26 weeks 3
  • Surgical abortion using D&E: up to 24 weeks 7
  • Labor induction abortion using misoprostol: up to 20 weeks 4